TRIAL DOGS 2017: ACCOLADES AND RECOGNITION

AFTER LONG DELIBERATIONS AND CONTENTIOUS DEBATE, THE COMMITTEE FINALLY VOTED THE TRAVIS COUNTY AWARDS:

BEST QUOTE:
"Judge, Judge, a ruling in my favor would be worth my weight in gold...or should I say diamonds?"
   --Pro Se Defendant in Federal Court accused of being a diamond thief 

TRIAL DOGS
Amanda McDaniel (posthumous)
Patricia Cummings
Russ Hunt
Jeff Senter
Bill Browning
Jackie Wood
Ray Espersen
Ariel Payan
Darla Davis
Steve Brittain
Alan Williams
Gerry Morris
Mary Ann Espiritu
Steve Brand
Daniel Wannamaker

LA ANTORCHE DE JUSTICIA AWARD
Bill Hines
(5 murder dismissals in 2 years)

WORKHORSES OF THE YEAR
Robert Smith*
Jesus Salinas*
Mike Burke*
Charles Popper
Elizabeth Resendez
* denotes repeat winner

BEST DRESSED MEN
Marc Chavez
Jeremy Sylestine
Geoffrey Puryear
Todd Dudley
Novert Morales
Ricardo Maldonado
Russ Sablatura
Lucio Del Toro
Craig Moore
Ben Blackburn
Alex Conant
Ben Castoreno
Raphel Hernandez
Steve Brand
Marc Ranc

BEST SHOES
Chari Kelly
Amy Meredith
Elizabeth Resendez
Jessica Bernstein
Eloisa Ontiveros Garcia
Sheila Merino
Jana Ortega
Monica Noyola
Claire Carter
Erika Hansen
Jill Gately
Andrea Austin
Kellie Bailey
McKinley Melancon
Delani Long
Michaela Cuellar
Deniz Kadirhan

SHERLOCK HOLMES INVESTIGATOR AWARD
Mark Gillespie

SPECIAL AWARDS
Charles Popper-Del Valle Visitation Award (repeat winner) 
Shane Brooks-Comeback of the Year
Margaret Chen Kercher-Rising Star

BEST COURTHOUSE COFFEE
(tied)
299th District Court
Magistrate Court

NOTE:  THE COMMITTEE IS A SECRET CABAL WHO MEETS IN SECRET IN AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION WITH ENTRY ONLY BY SECRET HANDSHAKE.

YEAR IN REVIEW 2017-Trials and Other Assorted Fun

It's hard to declare whether a trial result is a "victory" or not. Different factors such as the pretrial offer, overall exposure to prison, and facts of the case usually dictate whether the effort in preparation and performance in trial paid off.  What follows are quick summaries of the trials and the result. Many thanks to all those who helped.

TRIAL #1
Travis County 450th District Court
Injury to a Disabled Person
State of Texas v. Jonathan Price
Length:  3 Days
Second Chair:  Richard Collins
Penalty Range:  2-20 Years
Result:  Convicted 9 years TDC

Defendant allegedly struck a blind man with a service dog at a bus stop. Defense was that the man did not appear disabled (the Defendant thought he was just a guy walking his dog) and the man did not meet the statutory definition of disabled.  The jury instruction gave the affirmative defense but the court refused the lesser included.
Pretrial Offer: 8

TRIAL #2
Travis County 390th District Court
Continuous Sexual Assault of a Child
State of Texas v. James Faglie
Length:  5 Days
Second Chair:  Alex Calhoun
Penalty Range:  25-99/life
Result:  Convicted 35 Years TDC

Biological daughter made numerous allegations over several years.  The state presented an additional witness to corroborate the behavior.
Pretrial Offer: 40

TRIAL #3
Travis County 299th District Court -Bench Trial
Agg Kidnapping/Agg Assault
State of Texas v. Sayed Sadat
Length:  3 Days
Second Chair:  none
Penalty Range:  5-99/2-20
Result:  Convicted 30/20 years TDC

Defendant attacked a social worker with a screwdriver on her face and bit her.  Defendant was from Afghanistan and spoke Dari.  There were communication challenges, but ultimately an interpreter spoke in his native tongue throughout the proceedings.
Pretrial offer:  30/20 TDC

TRIAL #4
Travis County 331st District Court
Driving While Intoxicated Enh Habitual
State of Texas v. Raymond Young
Length:  3 Days
Second Chair:  Val Antonio
Penalty Range:  25-99/life
Result:  Convicted 10 years TDC

Defendant arrested after an accident and other calls about a car with his description driving erratically.  Witnesses put him behind wheel and Defendant appeared highly intoxicated.
Pretrial offer:  2 TDC

TRIAL #5
Williamson County 368th District Court
Aggravated Robbery Enh
State of Texas v. Theo Demaree
Length:  4 Days
Second Chair:  Todd Dudley
Penalty Range: 25-99/life
Result:  Convicted 25 years TDC

Defendant and girlfriend allegedly set up a prostitution deal via Plenty of Fish dating app and then robbed the crack-smoking victim.
Pretrial offer:  30 TDC

TRIAL #6
Travis County 331st District Court
Impersonating a Peace Officer/3x of Robbery (6 victims)
7 counts of Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity
State of Texas v. Dustin Clark
Length:  4 days
Second Chair:  Richard Collins
Penalty Range: 5-99/life each count
Result:  Mistrial on all counts

Defendant accused of numerous robberies and impersonating a Peace Officer.  The state had GPS evidence on the Defendant vehicle, Cell Phone records coinciding with the GPS,  text messages between Defendant and co-defendants, and testimony from co-defendant as to identification and planning.
Pretrial offer:  15 TDC



 

TRIAL DOGS 2014: ACCOLADES AND RECOGNITION

AFTER LONG DELIBERATIONS AND CONTENTIOUS DEBATE, THE COMMITTEE FINALLY VOTED THE TRAVIS COUNTY AWARDS:

BEST QUOTE OF 2014

"All we ever wanted was Vicki's body, but he [pointing at Defendant] won't tell us where she is! Closing argument by Jana Duty in Williamson County cold case murder, commenting on the Defendant's right to silence.

HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Elsie Craven
2 successful Hearings in obtaining political asylum

TRIAL DOGS OF 2014
[For those who went the distance.]
Brad Urrutia*-7 Felony Jury Trials
Jackie Wood-6 Felony Jury Trials
Victoria Winkler-5 First Chair Felony Jury Trials/5 Second Chair Felony Trials
Marc Chavez*-5 First Chair Felony Jury Trials/2 Second Chair Jury Trials

HONORABLE MENTION
Mindy Montford
Russ Hunt

LA ANTORCHA DE JUSTICIA AWARD
[Most Intimidating Defense Lawyer to Prosecutors]
Raymond Espersen

BEST DRESSED MEN
[Those who show style under fire.]
Lucio Del Toro
Novert Morales
Russ Sablatura
Ben Blackburn
Todd Dudley
Jeremy Sylestine
Joe Fredrick
Brad Urrutia

WORK HORSE(S) OF THE YEAR
[For those who enable their bosses to take those exotic vacations.]
Robert Smith (Law Offices of David Chambers)
Mike Burke* (Peek and Toland)
Jesus Salinas (Law Office of Jon Evans)

WORST DRESSED LAWYERS
[Having trouble distinguishing lawyers and clients?]
Anyone who wears baggy shirts, bluejeans, tennis shoes, clogs, or sandals in a court of law.

BEST BEARDS
Chris Baugh
Mike Burke*
Marc Chavez*

BEST SHOES
Jana Ortega
Yvonne Patton
McKinley Melancon
Monica Flores
Diana Buss
Adam Reposa

BEST INNOVATION TO PRACTICE LAW
The AMP website (includes nearly everything you need to be a paperless office).

MOST HYPOCRITICAL DEFENSE LAWYERS
Those defense lawyers that judge other defense lawyers qualifications to be on CAPDS when they themselves couldn't qualify to be on the list(s)(Hey those on the Review Committee, you know who you are).

BEST RESTROOM(S) IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER
Public Restrooms on the second floor.  They are roomy and have a chair to allow continued plea negotiations with prosecutors without interruption if necessary.

SPECIAL AWARDS
Charles Popper-The Del Valle Visitation Award for most frequent visitation of clients.
[Repeat Winner]
Steve Brand-El Abogado Etico Award for principled decisions in the face of adversity.

*Denotes Multiple Winner

The Committee is a highly secretive cabal and the process is classified.

NOTE:  The author's Year In Review is in the post below

YEAR IN REVIEW 2014-TRIALS & OTHER ASSORTED FUN

THE YEAR OF THE TRIAL

This past eight months saw the most trials in such a short time I've had in my career.  I have had eight (7) Felony jury trials in exactly seven months.  Three (3) of those trials took place in Williamson County, four (4) in Travis County.  Of those seven trials, five faced the maximum sentence of 99 years or life. Three of those were habitual, with a minimum of 25 years.  Two Defendants faced a maximum of 10 years.

It's hard to declare whether a trial result is a "victory" or not. Different factors such as the pretrial offer, overall exposure to prison, and facts of the case usually dictate whether the effort in preparation and performance in trial paid off.  What follows are quick summaries of the trials, the result, and where it ranks on the victory meter.  Many thanks to all those who helped.

TRIAL #1
Williamson County 368th Districty Court
Capital Murder
State v Crispin Harmel
Length:  8 days
Penalty Range:  Automatic Life
Result:  MISTRIAL  

This was the only trial this year that I did not conduct the jury selection.  However, it was a pleasure to participate on the team with Ryan Deck (lead attorney) and Scott Magee.  Filed as a Capital murder, it involved the allegation that the Defendant followed a young woman from a Walmart to her car and left with her.  She was found the next morning in her car, deceased.  However, witnesses had seen her out of car and alive the next morning prior to her being found lifeless.  A mistrial was declared after it was found the prosecution did not supplement discovery with crucial information.
Rank:  Temporary Victory for the Defense

TRIAL #2
Williamson County 26th District Court
Murder
State v Rex Nisbett
Length:  9 days
Penalty Range:  5-99 Years/Life
Result:  CONVICTION 42 Years

This trial was a 22 year cold case murder.  There was no body in this case.  The case involved DNA, testimony by witnesses recalling from years ago, and was comprised entirely on circumstantial evidence.  There are certainly several issues for appeal. This will be a case that will continue to be watched and will certainly be of interest to all when the decision of the Appeals Court(s) rule.
Rank: Temporary Victory for the Prosecution

TRIAL #3
Travis County 147th District Court
Attempted Sexual Assault
State v Christopher Frazier
Penalty Range:  2-10 Years
Length:  2 days
Result: CONVICTION 4 Years

This case was based on the allegation that Mr. Frazier attempted to sexually advance on a person in a truck in broad daylight without that person's consent while the partner was buying ice cream.  The jury heard from three witnesses before deciding.  The assessed penalty was agreed by the parties.
Rank:  Moderate Victory for Prosecution

TRIAL #4
Travis County  299th District Court
Possession of a Controlled Substance (Habitual)
State v Jonas Smith
Penalty Range:  25-99 Years/Life
Length:  2 days
Result:  NOT GUILTY

Mr. Smith was arrested for assaulting his girlfriend with a knife.  After transporting her to the emergency room, Mr. Smith was arrested for the assault and in the ensuing search of his person (on videotape), PCP was found on his person.  After reviewing the videotape of his arrest and the finding of the drugs in his pocket, the jury acquitted him (I'm not kidding).
Rank:  Incredible Victory for Defense

TRIAL #5
Travis County   County Court #4 (Felony Jurisdiction)
Assault Family Violence Enhanced
State v Christopher Porth
Penalty Range:  2-10 Years
Length:  4 Days
Result:  MISTRIAL

The trial involved some allegations against Mr. Porth involving his girlfriend.  After 2 days of testimony, the jury deadlocked 6-6.  There was no chance of reconciliation amongst the jurors. The case was re-indicted on a First Degree. The case was resolved for back time on a lesser charge of a State Jail Felony.
Rank:  Moderate Victory for the Defense

TRIAL #6
Travis County  299th District Court
Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
State v Jonas Smith
Penalty Range:  25-99 Years/Life
Length:  4 days
Result:  NOT GUILTY COUNT 1/GUILTY COUNT 2, MISTRIAL ON PUNISHMENT

Mr. Smith was tried on the assault of his girlfriend with a knife.  After considering the evidence including lengthy testimony on the injuries, the jury concluded he did this beyond a reasonable doubt.  However, they could not agree on punishment.  11 jurors agreed on 37 years, 1 would not compromise from 36 (No, I'm not kidding).  The case was resolved for 27 years.
Rank:  Moderate Victory for the Defense

TRIAL #7
Williamson County  277th District Court
Aggravated Kidnapping, Assault Family Violence Enhanced x 2 (Habitual)
State v Crispin Robledo
Penalty Range:  25-99 Years/Life
Length:  4 days
Result:  PLED GUILTY TO 1 COUNT OF ASSAULT FAMILY VIOLENCE ENHANCED 10 TDC

The Defendant agreed to a sentence of 10 years.  This trial featured some initial hurdles. But as the case progressed, it was clear the prosecution had a growing concern with witnesses and strategy.  In the end, the jury may well have hung, but the result was clearly good for the client.  There were too many unknowns for both sides.
Rank:  Victory for the Defense

Other notable cases involved a swat standoff, various drug cases, and police pursuits.  But 2015 will provide me plenty of trial experience as well. There will be two additional murder trials.

It was a heck of a year, but the fun ain't over yet.

VICTORIES: Some Clients Never See Them (Until Later)

I like to go to trial.  Like Walter White said in the finale of the series Breaking Bad, "I did it because I liked it.  I was good at it."

But trials are not about the lawyer.  Trials are about what is best for the client/defendant.  It is a rare mix of circumstances that send a client to trial:  the innocence of the defendant; or the desire to extract a better resolution from strangers than a plea offer from the prosecutors; and the willingness to gamble in an imperfect system designed to seek justice based on unpredictable perceptions, beliefs, and biases.

Trials are intense for all of the parties.  The witnesses questioned by skilled lawyers, the lawyers who have to follow the rules which govern the procedure (unless the lawyers choose not to follow the rules), the victims who are wronged and sometimes traumatized, and the defendant who is unsure of his future and fate.

But sometimes trial is not the best option.  I plead a client  to 10 years in prison this week 45 minutes before a jury was going to decide his fate on three felonies, all of which were enhanced to 25-99/life.  At the moment that reality sets in for these clients and they take a deal, the fact that I would have made more money in trial dissipates and the realization that my advice spared him decades of his life behind bars makes it worth the effort.

He probably won't realize the bullet he dodged until later, but only then will he recognize that he would be better off than the other option of dying in prison.

2012 NOTABLES & APPLAUSE

AFTER LONG DELIBERATIONS AND DEBATE, THE COMMITTEE VOTES THE TRAVIS COUNTY AWARDS:

BEST QUOTE OF 2012

"He ain't no public defender.....he's a public pretender!"  -Defendant referring to his court appointed lawyer Ray Espersen

TRIAL DOGS OF 2012
[For those who went the distance.]
Brad Urrutia
Gerry Morris
Rhett Braniff
Ray Espersen
Charlie Baird
Amber Bode
Kellie Bailey
Jon Evans
Ariel Payan

BEST DRESSED MEN
[Those who show style under fire.]
Chris Baugh
Steve Brand
Jim Sawyer
Lucio Del Toro
Novert Morales
Russ Sablatura
Ben Blackburn
Todd Dudley
Jorge Sanchez
Matt Nichols

WORK HORSE(S) OF THE YEAR
[For those who enable their bosses to take those exotic vacations.]
Robert Smith (Law Offices of David Chambers)
Diana Buss (Law Offices of Morales & Navarete)
Juan Gomez (Law Offices of Morales & Navarete)
Mike Burke (Peek and Toland)

WORST DRESSED LAWYERS
[Having trouble distinguishing lawyers and clients.]
Anyone who wears bluejeans, tennis shoes, clogs, or sandals.

BEST NAME FOR A DEFENSE LAWYER
Lucio Del Toro
Rhett Braniff
Sunday Austin
Jack Bacon
Victoria Broussard
Ricardo Maldonado
Curtis Woodcock